Haiti Ministry

Goals and StrategyGoalsThe 20-year partnership between Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Arlington, Virginia, and St. Joseph parish in Medor, Haiti, has grown because of our common commitment to shared goals. The first goal is to come together in a spirit of solidarity and deepen the relationship between our communities. The second related goal is to support the sustainable community-based development of the people living in the 74-square-mile parish high in the mountains of the Artibonite region of Haiti.

The partnership began in 1997 as part of the Parish Twinning Program of the Americas (www.parishprogram.org). The program aligned with the mission of Our Lady Queen of Peace that springs from Matthew 25:31-46: “Anything you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.” The mandate to help the poor, Jesus says, is because we are one family, the body of Christ.

Pope Francis, in Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, also calls us to work toward greater social justice – by supporting the integral development of the poor – while taking care of all creation. Our work to help the people of Medor raise their own standard of living, in all its dimensions, carries out Pope Francis’s mandate.

StrategySustainable community-based development is based on an appreciation of local knowledge and potential, coupled with appropriate training, technical assistance, and resources. Local participants contribute their time, labor, and whatever funds they can to sustain the specific programs described below. They help identify priorities, manage programs, and complete the work in the community.

Both parishes work in partnership with Haitian intermediary groups. These non-profits, businesses, government agencies, and consultants have the experience and skills to train local leaders. They understand the culture, speak the language, and can assess and introduce appropriate technologies. Financial resources from outside Haiti, such as those from Our Lady Queen of Peace and others, enable these Haitian professionals to support local leaders in Medor, who in turn lead the initiatives and promote local participation. “They know best,” sums up this sustainable community-based development approach. We support their efforts.